Trade Your Runners for Fins: Cross-Training in the Pool

Not sure where to start? Check out the recommendations below and see if any of the exercises and products is of interest to you. After all, there's nothing like taking your regular cardio workout to a whole new environment.

If you already like swimming...

Then hitting the pool for some traditional laps might be just what you need to take your cardio endurance to the next level. While your lungs are getting a great workout - equally as good as if you were running mile after mile - your legs are getting a whole different kind of workout with each and every kick. Swimming laps is great for runners who are recovering from injuries, those looking to increase flexibility and others who are just in it for the change of scenery. And while you might be in good shape out of the water, you'll quickly find out that you might be gassed pretty quickly while in the water. To ensure that you can keep going lap after lap, strap on a pair of Speedo Biofuse Fins to help propel you up and down the pool. The extra speed produced by these fins might seem like cheating, but, in fact, you'll be getting an even better leg workout with them on.

If you want to work on your lung capacity...

Then you'll want to hit the pool to get your VO2 Max at an all time high. Because you have to continually hold your breath while swimming, training in the water naturally increases lung capacity. But, you can increase your cardiovascular fitness even more with the help of a simple fitness snorkel. These specially designed snorkels extend over the middle of your forehead, as opposed to the side of your head, in order to create less drag while swimming. The Finis Freestyle Snorkel is the perfect example of this kind of training tool. Use it alone, or in conjunction with a Finis Swimmer's Snorkel Cardio Cap (specially designed to increase your workload by 40%), and you'll be amazed at how much quicker you can train your body to recover from tiring workouts.

If you don't want to stray far from jogging...

Then strap on water jogging belt and get to bobbing up and down in the water. While many runners might think of water jogging as too easy or boring of a workout, they might be surprised to know that it can do wonders for those looking to relieve a little bit of stress on tired knees and ankle joints. In addition to the cardio aspect, runners who train in the water with a flotation belt can also work on other muscle groups, like the core and upper body, thanks to the added resistance of the water. Slip on the Hydro Fit Wave Belt, an ultra buoyant belt that softly and naturally forms to the body, and you might be amazed at how challenging a simple water aerobics session can actually be.